Senate Judiciary subcommittee hears testimony on S.184 to create statutory dram‑shop liability

A South Carolina Senate Judiciary subcommittee heard testimony and debate on S.184, a bill that would create statutory dram‑shop liability for licensees who sell, serve or furnish alcohol that contributes to third‑party injury or death.

The bill was the primary item discussed at the meeting. Attorney Kenny Burger, who represents families in dram‑shop cases, and Steven Burrett, regional executive director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in South Carolina, gave most of the testimony and urged preserving accountability for establishments that over‑serve patrons while also focusing on reducing frivolous suits and improving server training.

Burger described repeated patterns he said appear in dram‑shop cases: “techniques that involve upselling” and a lack of alcohol‑service training. He recounted three cases he has handled in which patrons were over‑served and later caused severe crashes, and said repeat offenders and establishments with prior suits should face stronger accountability. Burger told the committee that in many fatal or maiming crashes he sees blood‑alcohol…